Chapter: 850
"With him?" Caden's tone was mocking.
Alicia's annoyance flared. “I was going to agree, but your timing ruined it."
Caden sneered. "So you'd actually eat with him? Haven't you been thinking about me all afternoon?" His smugness was infuriating.
Fury flashed in Alicia's eyes.
So he'd left her waiting all afternoon on purpose?
How many times would he keep playing this game?
The frustration and doubt that had been simmering all day turned to ash, weighing down her heart.
Her face hardened as she reached for her handbag to leave.
But before she could step away, Caden reached out and pulled her into his arms.
"Let me go, Caden!" she protested, hitting him and trying to break free.
She felt her emotions unraveling, betraying her. Once she started speaking, it was like a thread being pulled, and all her grievances spilled out uncontrollably.
She turned her face away, unwilling to let him see the tears welling in her eyes.
Caden held her tightly, his expression softening as he saw her vulnerability. He swallowed the harsh words he'd prepared, his voice gentle as he said, "I wasn't with Yolanda today. I went to meet her parents to make plans. I wanted to announce our relationship over dinner tonight."
Alicia, still seething, barely registered his words. "What relationship are you even talking about?"
Caden's expression was hard. “You tell me. What do you think this is?"
She glared at him. "I don't know. All I know is, whatever this is, it's worse than being friends with benefits, worse than even being a mistress. At least then, if you treated me like this, I could just go and find someone else to have fun with!"
His eyes narrowed at her biting words. “If you really were a mistress, you'd just end up crying back to me," he replied coldly.
Furious, Alicia lashed out, kicking him sharply.
The pointed toe of her heel made him wince, but he held his ground.
"Let me go!" she demanded, struggling to break free.
But Caden only tightened his hold. "Stop fighting with me. Get changed, and let's go to the restaurant."
Alicia pulled back defiantly. "Go with Yolanda if you're so eager. Let her be your girlfriend."
For a moment, Caden was silent.
He had always known Alicia could be sharp, but he hadn't expected her to say something Like that.
Her words hit him harder than he'd anticipated.
Out of breath, Alicia looked at him, her frustration boiling over.
"Caden, what do you even want from me?"
The frustration from his coldness earlier in the day hadn't faded; if anything, it had only grown.
Caden exhaled, dropping his defenses. "Alright, I'll admit it - I was upset this afternoon. That's why I left with Yolanda without a word, to make you feel what it's like to push me away."
Alicia's heart twisted with hurt. "Are you serious? Do you ever plan to grow up, or will you just keep playing these childish games?"